1923 Bentley Three-Litre Vanden Plas Tourer
V.S.C.C. 85th Anniversary/Formula Vintage Round V, August 2019
Brands Hatch, Fawkham, Kent

"The original engine for chassis NT3143 (Engine No. NT3143) has now been carefully rebuilt utilising a new block, pistons and con rods and is currently with Chassis 152 in the UK."

"Hi Robert, Thanks for your latest Newsletter, it has come just at the right time to be of interest to some members of a Retired Lancashire Police Officers group on Facebook.!

It was I who contacted your organisation back in 2003-ish in trying to locate the current owner, my interest being based on having driven the car during Advanced Driving Training with the Lancashire Constabulary in January 1962.

Later I became Head of Driver Training with Greater Manchester Police and on my retirement in 1985 was presented with a water colour of the car, painted by the wife of one of my staff. You have a photograph of the painting on your website and there is now some interest from people regarding copies of that photograph - I can, of course, deal with that as I have both photographs and the original painting.

I am also in touch with David Simpson, the owner of the car."

Le Mans Classic France, July 2010

This car is presently owned by Dave Simpson.

Photograph was taken during the BDC South East Region visit to the 2008 Le Mans Classic.

Car is owned by Dave Simpson as of May 2008. It was bought in 2003.

"In Holland in 2007 where the car is attracting some attention in the square at Goes (pr. Hoosh)."

"Advanced Training Vehicle! A different view of Dave Simpson's 3 Litre taken at Hatfield House, 26th June 2004."

"This photo was included in the BDC Review in 2004 and was taken at Hatfield House Bentley Rally." — Dave Simpson (Owner), May 01, 2008

British car auctions, 2003 (Sold).

Car was bought by Dave Simpson in 2003 at an auction at Brooklands.

"This car was donated, in pieces, to the Lancashire Constabulary just after WW2 and rebuilt there. It was afterwards based at the Force Driving School and driven on one day at the end of Advanced Driving Courses. It was subsequently sold in 2003 as reported in the Lancashire Evening Post, 25 June 2003. I myself drove the vehicle once. I also have an original watercolour painting of the car (photograph of painting posted above), presented to me on my retirement from the Police in 1985."

This car was owned by Lancashire Police for 49 years from 1954 to 2003.

These photographs were taken in or around 1954 soon after the car had been refurbished when owned by the Lancashire Police Motor Driving School.

"This 1923 3 litre Bentley (WY 5986) was donated to Lancashire Constabulary in pieces in 1954. It was rebuilt by cadets and used on Hutton Advanced Instructor Courses up to 2003 when it was sold for £55,105. Driven here by Insp Eric Pilling with Phil Harrison, former Commandant of the Hutton Driving School as passenger. Courtesy of Phil Harrison."

The car was owned by a gentleman (who Dave Simpson, owner as of May 2008, still corresponds with), who bought it in Stockport in 1949.

He did a considerable amount of work on the car including a re-trim with material from a shoe factory & renewing the body fabric. Both (shoe) trim & fabric survive to this day.

The car was sold in 1954 for £275 to Lancashire Police who went on to own the car for 49 years.

Taking part in Firle Hillclimb in 1953.

Racing at Goodwood circuit in 1952.

"This car was present and used by Lancashire Police at their Hutton Driving School, Nr Preston back in the early 50s. My late parents and their children attended these yearly driving tests through the Bentley Drivers Club. At that time we owned XU 3281, a 1924 3 litre which became a 3/41/2. (We kept this car till the early 70s. My late Mother took her advanced driving test in this car and was the first woman in UK to do so and pass.)"

This car had resided in North Wales for many years prior to 1949.